India sought action over Dawood party

Days after Dawood Ibrahim threw a reception at Dubai's Grand Hyatt hotel in July 2005, the United States' New Delhi embassy and Mumbai consulate had asked their government to initiate action against the venue’s owners. Abhishek Sharan reports.

Days after 1993 Mumbai serial blasts’ absconding mastermind Dawood Ibrahim threw a reception at Dubai's American-run Grand Hyatt hotel in July 2005, to celebrate his daughter’s marriage, the United States' New Delhi embassy and Mumbai consulate had asked their government to initiate action against the venue’s owners.

“An upscale wedding reception brazenly took place at the ostensibly American-run Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai on July 23. (Dawood) Ibrahim, India's most wanted man for the 1993 Bombay bombings that killed hundreds and a US Specially Designated Global Terrorist, reportedly did not attend the event,” said a cable, titled ‘Action Request’, dispatched by the US Mumbai consulate on August 8, 2005 and endorsed by its New Delhi embassy.

Adding, “We believe the USG (US government) should send a strong signal of solidarity and zero tolerance by generating a demarche asking the Grand Hyatt in Dubai where the money came from, and how.”

It said, “Such a demarche should make the Hyatt chain, which is viewed here as an ‘American’ company, explain why they took money for a wedding that was likely paid for — directly or indirectly — by the most wanted man in India, a man who is also on the US government's list of foreign terrorist entities.”